Simple Hedgehog Dig Box

Introduction: Simple Hedgehog Dig Box

Environmental enrichment is essential for the health and well-being of our pets. Hedgehogs are especially interesting and adorable pets that have become popular throughout America.

They are very active and need lots of exercise to avoid becoming obese in captivity. Here is a quick and inexpensive dig box to enrich your hedgie's environment and encourage "natural" foraging behavior and exercise.

Step 1: Supplies

You will need:

An appropriate sized container (Tupperware), I chose a clear one so I can watch the hedgie play

A marker

An exacto knife (or other cutting implement). As always use caution!

Fleece (about 1.5 yards for the container in this instructable)

Mealworms (or your hedgie's favorite bug that won't be able to escape the container)

Scissors

~ 10 minutes of your life

A Hedgie, because there wouldn't be much point otherwise...

Step 2: Assembly

Cut an appropriate sized hole in the container (large enough for hedgie to enter and leave easily). As always use caution!

Make sure to leave a small lip at the bottom of the hole to prevent bug escapes

Cut fleece into short strips and fill container

Step 3: Done! Hedgie Fun for Everyone!

Place the completed hedgie dig box with yummy treats in your hedgie's enclosure.

I assume it is an unintentional trait, the most common pet hedgehog in the US is the pygmy African hedgehog which first established as a cross between the four-toed hedgehog and the Algerian hedgehog. Eye trauma and consequent eye removal (enucleation) is a common problem in african pygmy hedgehogs.

Here is a pic of the common pet hedgehog (african pygmy hedgehog) vs. a wild european hedgehog for eye comparison :) (both from google images)

do you know i got a rescue his eye is swollen shut it could be he used to live in a bucket the last owner got him as a rescue didn't want him the breeding farmer didn't want him so he did move around allot and now i am trying to help him he is terrified of everything so i cant look closely though i was wondering if you knew